For the first time in weeks, Kane allowed himself to breathe. The frantic rhythm of construction, planning, and constant vigilance eased, if only for a fleeting moment. The countdown still glowed on his interface—less than half a day remained—but tonight, he wanted to give something back to those who had put their trust in him.
He began with Reina. She was still resting, her small hands curled against the blanket. When she stirred awake and her wide eyes found him beside her, she immediately clung to his arm."You didn't leave me again, right?" Her voice was fragile, carrying the echoes of her trauma.
Kane smiled, brushing her hair back gently. "No, little one. I'll always be here."
Maya and Lena joined soon after, the two women watching with quiet relief as Reina giggled faintly when Kane lifted her into his lap. For a moment, they weren't survivors of a world on the brink—they were just a family. Kane let himself savor that warmth, the small sound of Reina's laughter etching itself into his memory.
When night settled, Kane reached out to the construction team—the same men and women who had helped him build and fortify this haven in just forty days. They had proven themselves trustworthy, tireless, and dedicated."You've all given everything to help me make this possible," Kane told them over the secured channel. "I've expanded the island, and there's more than enough space now. If you want, bring your families. Live here, with us. Safety will matter more than ever soon."
Silence followed for a moment before one of the senior builders answered, his voice thick with gratitude."…You don't know what this means to us, Kane. We'll come."
Kane nodded, satisfied. One by one, they began making preparations to move their loved ones.
Next, he turned to the four specialists—Selene, Nadia, Ivy, and Amara. The women had stood shoulder to shoulder with him since the beginning, each proving their worth beyond measure."You've done more than I could've asked for," Kane said. "If there's someone dear to you—family, friend—bring them here. It's not safe where they are."
The four exchanged glances before speaking almost in unison. Each of them had a younger sibling—brothers and sisters, all between fifteen and sixteen—still living alone in their homes, surviving in the uncertain calm before the storm.
Kane didn't hesitate. "Then they'll live here. I'll make sure of it."
Arrangements were made swiftly, and for the first time in a long time, hope seemed to glow in their tired eyes.
Finally, Kane began preparing something special. A gathering—not a meeting, not a work briefing, but a real party. He pulled food from storage, brought out drinks, and had the kitchens begin cooking with the freshly harvested vegetables Amara had helped cultivate.
As lanterns were lit and the sea breeze carried the scent of roasting spices across the island, Kane looked over the preparations and whispered to himself:"Let them enjoy this night. The last night they'll breathe without fear."
The stars stretched endlessly above, silent witnesses to a fleeting moment of peace before the storm.
The island glowed with warmth and light that night. Lanterns hung between the villas, laughter echoed through the air, and the smell of freshly prepared food filled every corner. For once, the heavy shadow of survival seemed to lift.
The construction team arrived with their families, voices mingling with those of Selene, Nadia, Ivy, and Amara. Their siblings, all in their mid-teens, stepped onto the island with wide eyes, marveling at the sheer scale of the place Kane had built. They quickly fell into step with Reina, who was practically vibrating with joy.
The little girl darted across the yard, tugging two children by their hands, squealing as they ran toward the toys Kane had allowed her to bring out for the night. For the first time in a long time, Reina was not clinging to her brother in fear—she was a child again. She played tag, shared giggles, and even danced awkwardly with the other kids when music was played.
Kane stood quietly at the edge of the crowd, a faint smile tugging at his lips. Maya and Lena flanked him, each casting warm glances at Reina."She hasn't laughed like this since…" Lena started, her voice softening.
"Since before the crash," Kane finished. His hands clenched behind his back. "If tonight is her last memory of peace, then I'll make sure it's a good one."
The specialists joined later with drinks in hand, raising a toast to survival, to new beginnings, and to Kane's insane foresight that had given them all a chance. Even the construction workers, hardened by weeks of relentless labor, laughed freely, letting the tension bleed away under the glow of lanterns.
As the night deepened, exhaustion finally caught up with them. One by one, people drifted into the villas, children curled up in spare rooms, adults slipping into beds they had been given. Soon, the entire island was quiet, the sound of the ocean waves lulling everyone into a deep slumber.
Everyone except Kane.
He sat at his desk, the glowing countdown still ticking in his interface.00:00:10… 00:00:09… 00:00:08…
When the numbers struck zero, the world shifted.
The moon above turned crimson, bathing the earth in a sickly blood-red glow. A low hum shook the ground, resonating deep in Kane's chest. His interface pulsed as new notifications rushed in.
At the same instant, the invisible barrier activated around the island, shimmering faintly like heatwaves before stabilizing into transparency. Kane exhaled in relief—the protective measure had worked. It would shield them from the madness of the blood moon and the scorching heat that would follow in the days to come.
Above, the skies came alive. Hundreds of drones—assault, missile, and scout—erupted into the air all at once, their engines fueled by infinite energy. They fanned out into perfect formations, their cameras and sensors feeding Kane a constant stream of data.
On his interface, he watched as the nearby villages flickered with chaos. Structures crumbled as the ground split open. Screams echoed faintly across the water, carried by the night wind.
Then he saw it.
The first mutated creature emerged from the soil. A human form, half-rotted, its flesh dangling like wet cloth from brittle bones. Its eyes glowed faintly with unnatural hunger as it clawed itself free from the earth.
Kane didn't hesitate. With a command, one of his assault drones swooped down. A single shot rang out, cutting through the night. The creature collapsed in a heap of twitching limbs.
A crisp notification rang through his mind.
[ You have slain the First Mutated Creature ]
[ +50 Experience Gained ]
[ +25 Coins Acquired ]
[ Store Unlocked ]
Kane's eyes widened as a new tab appeared in his interface—glowing faintly, beckoning him toward it. But he didn't check it yet. His jaw tightened as he stared at the crimson horizon, at the chaos spreading outward like wildfire.
"It begins," Kane whispered, his voice heavy.
Behind him, the island slept peacefully, oblivious to the nightmare that had just descended upon the world.
The drone's shot cracked through the night air. The first mutated creature collapsed, its twitching limbs clawing uselessly at the ground before finally going still.
Silence hung for a second—before the system flared alive with messages:
[ System Notification ]
[ Title Gained: Pioneer of the Apocalypse ][ As the First Slayer, you will receive one free profession choice when you reach Level 10. ]
Kane's eyes widened as he scrolled through the glowing text.
Then another message appeared, one he hadn't expected:
[ System Guidance ]
- Leveling up will increase your core attributes (Strength, Agility, Endurance, Perception, Intelligence).
- Each level grants 5 free attribute points for you to distribute.
- Certain thresholds will unlock hidden talents and evolve your existing skills.
- Professions provide long-term growth and unique combat or crafting specialties.
- The Store allows you to purchase survival items, weapons, schematics, and resources with coins. Some exclusive items will only appear for early pioneers.
Kane exhaled slowly, his pulse quickening. Not only had he survived the first hour of the apocalypse—he was now officially recognized as its first slayer. That title alone carried weight.
"Good," he muttered. "That means I'm ahead."
His drones fanned out across the horizon, capturing footage of chaos consuming nearby villages. But on his island, the barrier shimmered faintly, shielding the sleeping families inside from the blood-red light. Reina was safe. Everyone was safe—for now.
Kane leaned back in his chair, his lips curling into the faintest smile. He had taken the first step. He had the drones, the resources, the barrier—and now, the system had given him something far greater: a future path.
"It begins," he whispered, as the moon bled across the sky.
And with that, the countdown was over. The true apocalypse had begun.